This article applies only to DesignMerge variable data jobs that are merging PDF files into variable picture links. InDesign applies two PDF import options when placing a PDF file in a picture frame, and DesignMerge also applies these PDF import options when merging a PDF file into a variable picture link. 

INDESIGN PDF IMPORT OPTIONS

Two InDesign import options for a PDF file control which Crop and Transparent Background settings are applied when InDesign places the PDF file. To see and optionally change your InDesign default settings for these two options, choose to Show Import Options while placing a PDF file into a document (using File > Place). 

DESIGNMERGE PDF IMPORT OPTIONS

DesignMerge provides a preference to control these two PDF import options Crop and Transparent Background independently. Your selection for this DesignMerge preference is applied whenever DesignMerge merges a PDF file into a variable picture link, while your InDesign defaults for these options will remain unchanged. This ensures that identical settings can be maintained across workstations that are running DesignMerge.

To access these preferences, open the DesignMerge Preferences dialog (DesignMerge > Preferences) and click on the PDF button. This will open the PDF Place Options dialog where you can select Crop and Transparent Background preferences. DesignMerge will apply the settings you select here when you merge any PDF file into a variable picture link in any document. 

DEFAULT SETTINGS

The default setting for this new preference option is Use Default. This selection was provided to ensure backward compatibility with documents prepared using earlier versions of the software. The Use Default setting mimics the behavior of previous versions of DesignMerge by setting the Crop to and Transparent PDF settings to those that were in effect the last time a PDF file was manually placed into a document.